About This Role

The Procurement and Contracts Manager position is a critical administrative position for a rapidly growing transit-focused regional public agency. This position will help develop and manage organization-wide procurement processes to ensure compliance with federal and state procurement policies and the agency’s procurement policies and procedures. This position will manage the agency’s contracts and purchases to comply with funding partner policies and overall contract adherence, including procurement and contract responsibilities associated with the QLINE streetcar.

We seek a candidate with experience across multiple business functions of a government agency, from procurement to contract management, financial management, and regulatory compliance.  You will report to the Program Director. You will work closely with the Executive Director, QLINE General Manager, Program Directors, evaluation teams, and financial and legal contractors to ensure fair competition for vendors, bidders, and disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs), including minority and women-owned small businesses. You will help deliver mission-critical program delivery support to the team, the RTA’s board of directors, and regional stakeholders.

You will join a team of passionate, dedicated, and authentic leaders committed to enhancing regional transit across Metro Detroit’s communities, connecting people to where they need to go. This position is hybrid, in-person, 2-3 days a week, located in Downtown Detroit, and works from home.

How to Apply

Submit your application to www.rtamichigan.org/about us by Monday, July 7, 2025.

Primary Responsibilities

Financial Management (25-35%)

• Serves as a critical internal financial management team member, advising and consulting on contract financial matters.
• Supports purchase orders, invoicing, and monitoring business accounts.
• Oversees P-Card program, including policy, implementation, and employee training
• Conducts financial analysis and projections, including conducting independent price evaluations (ICE) for professional services and QLINE fleet and parts
• Supports the development, amendment, and implementation of internal workflow, policies, and procedures.

Procurement & Contracts (50-65%)

• Maintains and updates the agency’s procurement policies, procedures, forms, and other relevant policy documents.
• Leads the development of an updated purchasing system and corresponding software tools.
• Leads all solicitation activities from drafting, posting, scoring, and managing vendor engagement for large-scale public procurements, including professional services, fleet, facilities, and maintenance of way; liaises between staff and legal counsel on procurement matters.
• Leads scheduling and coordinating with solicitation evaluation team members, creates formats for group discussion, and facilitates problem-solving.  
• Writes scope of services development, negotiates terms and conditions, prepares contract solicitation documents, administers contract communications, monitors procedures, and leads change orders.
• Manages BidNet account; uploads RFP documentation and responds to vendors.
• Tracks vendor invoices and contract budgets and provides timely updates on the need for contract adjustments, renewals, or other necessary changes.
• Ensures compliance with contracting statutes and state and federal policies and procedures.
• Support RTA procurement processes with Directors to ensure compliance with Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) policies and procedures, including Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Title VI.
• Supports  FTA Triennial Review preparation and execution.
• Public meeting, speaking on contracts, and writing board memos for contract approvals.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comfortable developing new and working with evolving internal processes, systems, and technologies to improve efficiency and oversight.
• Effective communicator who collaborates across departments, facilitates vendor and stakeholder engagement, and presents clearly to leadership.
• Skilled in interpreting and applying federal, state, and local regulations, including FTA requirements and grant compliance.
• Strong understanding of budgeting, cost analysis, and contract performance tracking.
• Proven problem-solver able to assess risks, resolve disputes, and recommend practical solutions.
• Experience managing sensitive or confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Self-directed, organized, and able to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, resource-limited environment.
• Values teamwork and brings a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to cross-functional initiatives.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university. Experience can be substituted for education.
• Five to Seven (5-7) years of professional-level experience in public procurement and/or contract management.
• Foundational financial and accounting skills. We encourage candidates with more experience, and we will adjust compensation accordingly.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Experience using M365, Microsoft Word, Excel; Quickbooks.
• Experience with public procurements; transit agency preferred.
• Experience with federal or state contract and procurement processes and procedures.
• Experience with FTA and MDOT procurement procedures, compliance, and administrative practices.
• Experience with Asana, Bill.com, or similar tools.
• Excellent writing skills. 

Preferred Experience

• Experience with public procurements; transit agency preferred.
• Experience with federal or state contract and procurement processes and procedures.
• Experience with FTA and MDOT procurement procedures, compliance, and administrative practices.
• Experience with Asana, Bill.com, or similar tools.
• Excellent writing skills. 

Benefits

RTA offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees working at least 30 hours per week. New employees are eligible to join plans offered on the first of the month following 60 days of employment. The benefits package includes:

• Paid Time Off and 11 holidays
• Retirement
• Health Insurance, including telehealth care support
• Dental and Vision Coverage
• Short-Term Disability
• Optional Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Optional Life Insurance Coverage
• Optional Critical Insurance Coverage
• Optional Pet and Legal Insurance Coverage
• Transit passes, main office parking
• Professional development

At-Will Employment

Your employment with the RTA will be "at-will." This means that either you or the RTA may terminate your employment relationship at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause. By accepting this position, you confirm you understand and agree, that this at-will relationship cannot be changed or retracted, either orally or in writing, or by any policy or conduct, unless you receive a document expressly stating that your employment is no longer at-will, which is signed both by you and the Executive Director.

Immigration Laws

For purposes of federal immigration laws, you will be required to provide documentary evidence of your identity and eligibility for employment in the United States. Such documentation must be provided on your first day of employment, or your employment relationship with the RTA may be terminated.